Police officers were attacked by armed criminals in Aba on Sunday, July 21, 2024. The criminals started shooting at the officers, who fired back and stopped the attack. The attack happened along Ngwa Road near Mosque Street.
The criminals were in a gray Sienna vehicle and ambushed a patrol team from the state’s Rapid Response Squad (RRS). During the shootout, two of the criminals were killed, and the rest ran away with gunshot wounds.
Sadly, a police officer, Inspector Shehu Oyibo, was killed during the attack. Three civilians were also killed by the criminals’ gunfire. Their names are Chika Godliveth, Onyenaturuchi Jonah (32 years old, from Item in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State), and Eniobong Godsgift Clement (an 18-year-old girl from Akwa Ibom State).
The Abia State Police spokesperson, ASP Maureen Chinaka, confirmed the incident in a statement: “Today, 21 July 2024, at about 11:28hrs, police operatives attached to the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) Aba, Abia State Command, while on patrol along Ngwa Road by Mosque junction, Aba, were attacked by armed men assailants in an ash-coloured Sienna vehicle. The armed men opened fire on the police personnel, and the operatives repelled the attack, preventing what could have been a deadlier outcome.
However, during the exchange of gunfire, two of the assailants were neutralised, while others escaped with various degrees of bullet injuries. Unfortunately, a police officer, Inspector Shehu Oyibo, [and] three civilians who were later identified as Chika Godliveth ‘m’, Onyenaturuchi Jonah ‘m’ 32 years old, from Item, in Bende L.G.A of Abia State, and Eniobong Godsgift Clement ‘f’, 18 years old, from Akwa Ibom State were killed by bullets from the assailants.
The bodies of those who died have been moved to the mortuary. The police are investigating to find the remaining criminals. The police have promised to keep the public safe and have sent officers to important locations to protect people and property. They asked residents to report any suspicious activities or people with gunshot wounds to the nearest police station.
